János was the only one of us to wake up early, he went out birding at Grenen and had several different waders there such as a Whimbrel (Småspove), Curlews (Storspove), a Grey Plover (Strandhjejle), Temminck’s Stints (Temmincksryle), Greenshanks (Hvidklire) and Redshanks (Rødben). He came back at six and made a fantastic blueberry cake which I woke up to. Togehter, we released the poor pigeon which has recovered a lot since we caught it in the lighthouse garden, after having prepared water and food nearby. We will observe its behaviour closely in the next days and hope that it will do well.

The pigeon is finally out again :)

At eleven, Simon came by and held us a little presentation about his trip to Iceland, and the field projects going on there. Søren Leth-Nissen and co. are in town again at the moment, and also came to listen to Simon’s presentation. Thank you for all the cake, Søren! :) Simon showed us some fantastic pictures, and talked about the highly interesting activities, especially the water bird ringing and tagging. Now we’re all inspired take a trip to Iceland ourselves one day. Later on my little lunchtime walk, I noticed how the weather has changed a bit: It’s still very warm, perhaps even warmer than before, but the air feels pleasantly fresh and less heavy.
After János woke up from his nap, he and I visited Maj Lou’s great exhibition at Skagen Fyr which she hosts together with a fellow local artist. We were greeted with wine by Maj and Oluf, and looked at all the beautiful pieces arranged on the different floors of the landmark. Then we moved further into town to have some ice cream together and wait for Alix and Alvin to join us for pizza on the beach. On the very same beach, the big and famous Sankt Hans fire was lit sending the witch to Blocksbjerg and delighting the huge crowd watching this special event.

Pizza on the beach.

Big fire, big crowd.

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Alix Bortolussi, Simon S. Christiansen

While Julian and Hannah stayed out all night to try and catch Quails (Vagtel) again, we others had a lazy morning sleeping until 7 am, followed by a long breakfast. After breakfast, Alix and Alvin had to visit a doctor in town as Alvin had a red mark on his leg that might be Lyme disease. They also went shopping, and then we celebrated midsummer, putting extra effort into lunch, and Alvin and Alix even bought themselves some fish.

At some point in the morning, a young Whitethroat (Tornsanger) flew against the window, but seemed fine and flew off after a bit.

Common Whitethroat sitting by the window

It was also the first day Simon was back from his trip to Iceland, so it was good to see him again.

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area 

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People at the station: Alvin Johansson, Julian Helbig, János Schadl, Alix Bortolussi, Hannah Bangard, Simon S. Christiansen

This morning started slow with all of us sleeping in, and with some freshly made pancakes from János for breakfast. 

Julian had been out night catching quails (Vagtel) tonight and enjoyed some extra sleep after coming home after the sunrise which he enjoyed at the top of the lighthouse. Unfortunately, no quails were caught, and he only heard two as well as tried to approach one of them but it sort of disappeared and went silent. 

During the day we all did some cleaning around the house as is our weekly schedule, and in the afternoon we all went to enjoy some fresh water and sun at the beach! Everyone was brave enough to get into the cold water but me ahahaha I admire them! I am too used to the warm Mediterranean Sea for the nordic temperatures, but I am trying to get better at that! 

Our guests Anne and Jesper who had been staying in the apartment for a while sadly left us today, and we hope to see them again soon. It was a pleasure having them around!

In the evening, we made a nice fire outside the lighthouse and enjoyed some Midsommar treats with some watermelon and fire roasted marshmallows. 

Nice fire enjoyed with watermelon, roasted marshmallows, beer and nice people!

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

People at the station: Alvin Johansson, Julian Helbig, János Schadl, Alix Bortolussi, Hannah Bangard, Simon S. Christiansen

In the night Alix was out catching Nightjars (Natravn) around Storsig and Julian was out trying to catch another Quail (Vagtel) since many could be heard singing. In the end Alix caught a Nightjar (Natravn). A second calendar year female which she was very happy about since it was her first one:)

Nightjar (Natravn) in profile

Nightjar (Natravn) wing, second calendar year because of the two outermost Alula-feathers beeing of juvenile type, also some greater coverts and one secondary. 

One the toes, the Nightjar (Natravn) has combs, that is used for cleaning.

Today was the last day of standardized ringing for the spring season and we had a nice morning with some thunder in the atmosphere wish was cool. 

The highlights from the ringing was definitely a Barn Swallow (Landsvale) wish was the first of the season caught here. It was a female based on the slightly shorter tail streamers. Also we caught two Reed Bunting (Rørspurv) babies.

Barn Swallow (Landsvale) closeup

Barn Swallow (Landsvale) wing

Barn Swallow (Landsvale) tail, female because of the relatively shorter outer tail feathers than males

Reed Bunting (Rørspurv) babies 

János also went observing at the tip for a little while and saw many Common Scoters (Sortand) and an Arctic Skua (Almindelig kjove).

The last bird caught for the standardized ringing for the spring season was a female Blackcap (Munk).

The last bird with the team

The rest of the day was spent napping and some of us went to get Icecream in town since it was very warm outside.

In the evening Anna and Jesper cooked an amazing dinner for us.

Highlights from the observations:
Arctic Skua (Almindelig kjove) - 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)
Rørsanger - 5
Landsvale - 1
Munk - 15
Tornsanger - 3
Rørspurv - 2
Havesanger - 1
Gransanger - 1
Total: 28

Ringing (Storsig)
Natravn - 1

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Hannah Bangard, Alix Bortolussi, Anna and Jesper Sandfeld

János staying sheltered from the sun – is there anything a Kabeltromle would not be useful for??

Closing nets at 12:00.

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Alix Bortolussi, Hannah Bangard, Jesper & Anne

My day started extra early at two o’clock in the morning, as I went out to try night catch one of the Quails (Vagtel) that have been singing all throughout the Storsig area in the past nights. Already on my first hundred meters in, I heard at least three males vocalising their characteristic trisyllabic song that reminds of water drops. Locating them precisely however turned out to be very challenging, because they usually only sing a few times and then pause for a minute or more. The thermal binoculars I brought with me weren’t of any use, since the overall temperature was already to warm. But somehow I managed and was able to approach one of the birds, the overcast sky and strong northwesterly winds probably helped me get close enough. I found the tiny nocturnal singer in the beam of my flashlight and caught it with the hand net. With the Quail (Vagtel) in hand, I called Alvin to wake him and the others up and meet them in the lab to ring the bird. János and Hannah only had time to take a quick look at the Quail (Vagtel) before heading out to Kabeltromlen, but Alvin and I could take our time to process the bird, which was behaving very calmly, and take good photos. It was my first ever steel ring closed, so now I can call myself a more experienced ringer than I was before. Not only the song, but also the throat and breast pattern proof the bird to be a male; we aged it as 3cy+ (3rd calendar year or older), as it doesn’t show a moult limit in the primaries. As dawn slowly broke, we released the Quail (Vagtel) at the same spot where it was caught and watched it fly off well immediately. What a great experience, I will definitely try again as it worked so well on my first try.

3K+ male Quail (Vagtel). Such a lovely little bird. 

János and Hannah came back early from Kabeltromlen: After opening only very few nets due to wind, and having caught one single bird, they decided to close everything, and were back at the station at 07:00. Alvin tried some birdwatching first, but there was almost no movement out at sea, and so he quit soon after and caught a bit more sleep instead. János and I occupied ourselves with indoor work, Hannah went for a walk to the Pencil first. After lunch, Alvin and I checked some ringing sheets. Our dear guests Anne and Jesper went into town, where they visited the museum and had lunch at the restaurant. Back in the apartment, they watched the flocks of birds resting along the shore, just through the window – one of the most convenient forms of birdwatching there is. Towards the evening, we all went out again. Despite the winds still present, it was quite warm and both Hannah and Alvin had a little swim. After dinner, Alvin picked up Alix at the train station. She will stay with us until the end of June, and we are all so happy to have her back again!

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Hannah Bangard, Anne & Jesper

The morning was rather calm but productive with a small but steady amount of birds per round. Since the standardized migration count was over, we all went to Kabeltromlen or had a sleep in. The best bird of the morning was a Chiffchaff (Gransanger) with an UK ring, but since these rings are literally used everywhere we will need to wait a bit to finde out where it was comming from.

Chiffchaff (Gransanger)

After the ringing Alvin spend some time with cleaning and laundary and Hannah went for a shopping trip. Alvin also found that the chicks of the Great Tit (Musvit) breeding pair in our garden have fletched, so he set up the gardennet to try and catch them. This can be very interessting, as you exactly know who the parents are.

Beside this, there was not much going on birdwise today in Skagen. Both Aalvin and I went for a short seawatch and outside of the lighthouse were he saw two Razorbills (Alk) and two Kittywakes (Ride) and I later had a Black Guillemot (Tejst) resting close to the beach.

Highlights from the observations:
Black Guillemot (Tejst) - 1

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)
Gransanger - 1
Gærdesmutte - 1
Jernspurv - 1
Kærsanger - 1
Rørsanger - 2
Munk - 9
Tornsanger - 1
Rørspurv - 1
Total: 17

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Hannah, Lars Bo

We chose today for the next scheduled CES session, and since the spring period of standardised migration counts is over now, we could easily split up to do simultaneous ringing at Kabeltromlen. Alvin and I needed to get up at 02:00 to be at Skarvsøen in time, but thankfully we had the opportunity to nap a bit in between checking the nets, since we only caught about two to four birds each round (including a lot of recaptures).

Tired Alvin.

János, Agnes, and Hannah at Kabetlromlen had a surprising first round of ten birds, but afterwards it slowed down for them as well. It was quite windy and chilly with overcast in the beginning, but later it got sunny and warmer. They caught a beautiful male Yellowhammer (Gulspurv). Our guests, Jesper and Anne, also visited Kabeltromlen for a while after listening to all the nice bird songs on their way out.

Yellowhammer (Gulspurv) at Kabeltromlen.

Alvin and I ringed the first baby bird of the season, a Dunnock (Jernspurv) fledgling with not yet fully grown wings. It’s nice to see that now also in Skagen the first young birds start to leave their nests.

First calendar year Dunnock (Jernspurv) – first ringed baby bird of the season.

As always, the six hours of CES ringing were a bit more exhausting than our usual five hours standard, so when Alvin and I got back, we needed some relaxation first. Alvin went for a swim. In the meantime, Jesper and Anne got János and Hannah a lift to the shop, which we are always very thankful for. They also took Agnes to the train station, because, unfortunately, she had to leave us again already. Bye Agnes, we hope you still had some fun days here anyways! Later, Hannah explored the area a bit further, and Jesper and Anne also went for a walk through the town and its surroundings, before preparing a fantastic dinner for us – a delicious Vietnamese dish with sweet potato and spinach. Later during evening meeting, they mentioned an observation they had yesterday evening of what they thought was a Grey Shrike (Stor Tornskade). Hearing about this immediately caught our attention, because at this time of year, Grey Shrikes (Tornskade) are very unlikely to come here, however it’s the perfect time for their similar-looking but much rarer relative the Lesser Grey Shrike (Rosenbrystet Tornskade) that breeds in South and eastern Europe and western Asia. When our meeting was done, we rushed straight out to scan the area and check for the bird, although staying in the same spot for more than one day would also have been rather unusual for this species, but the possibility was still there. The only shrikes we saw however were several Red-backed Shrikes (Rødrygget Tornskade) perching on the rosebushes in the evening sun.

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Hannah Bangard, Jesper & Anne

Today was very windy so we only had the nets open for around two hours in the morning. Nonetheless we got three birds, two Blackcaps (Munk) and one Garden Warbler (Havesanger).

Garden Warbler (Havesanger)

Today was also the last day of the standardized migration count of the season which János conducted today, with the highlight being the Fulmars (Malemuk)

Julian is feeling better today as well, being ill yesterday. He had a nice breakfast outside and rested in the morning.

Not being tired enough from waking up early haha, Hanna went for a 10 km run and ended it by swimming in the ocean.

In the afternoon our new apartment guests, Anna and Jesper arrived. We are already looking forward to what you will cook for us tomorrow for dinner since we have heard a lot of good things about that :)

Highlights from the observations:
Fulmar (Mallemuk) - 42

Ringing (Kabeltromlen)
Munk - 2
Havesanger - 1

Link to today’s observations in DOFbasen from observers in the area

Summary of today's raptor migration in DOFbasen

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Hannah Bangard, Agnes Hjortsberg, Anna and Jesper Sandfeld

Hello everyone,
My name is Hannah, and I'm visiting my friend Julian at the Fuglestation in Skagen. I arrived on Tuesday, and since then I've been entering the world of birding. So, I'm still a beginner!

As you know from the previous blog post, we tried catching terns (Terne) during the night at the place where the North Sea and the Baltic Sea meet. We set up two nets over a small pond about 10 meters from the sea to be safe. Otherwise, the nets could have ended up in the water because of the waves and the movement of the sand. Afterwards, we returned to our base camp in the dunes and got some sleep. Every 30 minutes, someone checked the nets. Unfortunately, we didn't catch any birds at all. That was disappointing, but it was still worth the attempt.

At 3:00 in the morning, János left for Kabeltromlen to prepare the standardized ringing session, allowing the rest of us to sleep a little longer. He opened all the nets and completed the first round by himself.

One hour later, 400 meters further north, Alvin, Julian, and I closed the nets on the beach. We hadn't caught a single bird, and the wind had become too strong. We had to end the session to avoid any risk of birds being harmed in the shaking nets.

After taking down the nets, Julian and I joined János. Alvin stayed behind for migration counting. Normally, you might call someone a workaholic if they sleep at their workplace. For a birdwatcher, however, it's one of the best things in the world!

Apart from a Manx Shearwater (Almindelig Skråpe) and a Fulmar (Mallemuk), the migration count was rather slow because of the strong wind.

The situation wasn't much different 400 meters inland. In total, we caught nine birds plus one recapture. Three of them were Chiffchaffs (Gransanger), two Reed Warblers (Rørsanger), one Marsh Warbler (Kærsanger), one lesser whitethroat (Gærdesanger), one Common Redstart (Rødstjert), and one Blackcap (Munk).

Inbetween rounds, János heard a Golden Oriole (Pirol) and informed the birdwatching community via Zello. Three birders came by shortly afterwards in the hope of seeing it.

I'm really enjoying bird ringing. Walking between beautiful bushes and reed beds, carefully extracting birds from the nets and then analyzing them is a fascinating experience. I'm impressed by the knowledge and enthusiasm of everyone here.

Back at the station, a woman from Aarhus university arrived to collect some dead birds that the Fuglestation had gathered over the past months. She will examine the plastic found inside them as part of a large research project.

A few minutes later, Agnes from Sweden arrived. Welcome, dear Agnes! She will be staying with us as a volunteer for the next month.

After lunch, I showed her the cormorant lake. During the afternoon, everyone spent their time differently: taking naps, going for bird walks, working on their computers, or simply relaxing.

We enjoyed a delicious dinner cooked by János and finished the day with our usual evening meeting. Since it was Sunday, we also planned the upcoming week together on the whiteboard.

People: Alvin Johansson, János Schadl, Julian Helbig, Mathilde Sund, Hannah Bangard, Lars Bo, Knud Pedersen